Ran
With all due respect, Ireland is no more part of the UK than Cuba is part of the US.
Regarding the rankings, do they only rate "higher profile" courses. There are lots of courses in Ireland better than, say, Mt Juliet (which I think is v. good, by the way) that would not be as well known.
Carlow, Headfort new, Headfort old, Esker Hills, Hermitage, Tramore, Gowran Park, Waterford Castle...
Mark O'Mera has built a new course in Maynooth, alongside a Montgommery one, which I bet will make the list on its profile. While I think the course is very good, I bet if Tiger Woods doodled a course on a beer mat and Charlton Heston built it, the "Woods-designed" course would make the list.
Do they have to be big and links to get on? A lot of the courses over here are dismissed by our American friends because they are not links, yet they rate American courses amongst the highest in the world, and they are not links.
Personally, I prefer the links, that said.
I enjoy your site.
Regards
Jack